One with Nature – our new issue is out now!

“One with nature”: the Dirty Dozen of Mass Effect, a virtual odyssey through Enslaved, the civilians of Command and Conquer, going beyond Baldur’s Gate, and the man / machine cyborg divide of Zone of the Enders 2. Plus, five great features all about nature.

Our fantastic new issue is proudly brought to you with the support of the Five out of Ten Patreon and incorporating Issue #2 – ‘Discovery’ – of ME&R Zine! Featuring the work of Stephen Beirne, Nate Ewert-Krocker, Mark R Johnson, Lindsay Robertson, and Oscar Strik. Photography by Alan Williamson.

Featured in Issue 14:

The Dirty Dozen: In Mass Effect 2, you must work hard to gain the loyalty of your squad, but only the suicide mission can determine if you deserve it.

A Virtual Odyssey:Enslaved: Odyssey to the West delicately breaks the fourth wall to make us reconsider what we want from games and what they mean to us.

Civilian Targets: Used as a game mechanic, the killing of civilians in Command and Conquer are more than a diversion, they are the means by which the player succeeds or fails.

Beyond Baldur’s Gate: Devoted fan communities, like those of Baldur’s Gate, will go to great lengths to expand the worlds they love.

Man and Machine: Zone of the Enders takes a unique approach to cyborgs that is more than just transhuman fetishism.

Nature:

Skill, Wit, and Magic: Through its magical framework, Folklore helps map the essence of Ireland.

Natural Designs: What is and isn’t “natural” is often challenged by design, whether it be divine, garden, or game design.

El Nido, El Niño:Chrono Cross asks us to consider what happens when saving humanity and saving the world aren’t the same thing.

Seeing Green:Tiberian Sun’s descent into dystopia is slow, both nature and people adapt, but not necessarily in harmony.

The Unnatural Evolution of Pokémon: Pokémon were inspired by the natural world of their creator, but their evolution across games shows both technological and natural change.